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Int J Sports Med 2013; 34(11): 963-968
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1337943
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Monitoring Training in Elite Soccer Players: Systematic Bias between Running Speed and Metabolic Power Data

P. Gaudino
1   Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
2   Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano,Italy
,
F. M. Iaia
,
G. Alberti
2   Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano,Italy
,
A. J. Strudwick
1   Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
,
G. Atkinson
3   Health and Social Care Institute, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
,
W. Gregson
1   Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
4   ASPIRE, Academy for Sports Excellence, Doha, Qatar
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History



accepted after revision 11 February 2013

Publication Date:
02 April 2013 (online)

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Abstract

We compared measurements of high-intensity activity during field-based training sessions in elite soccer players of different playing positions. Agreement was appraised between measurements of running speed alone and predicted metabolic power derived from a combination of running speed and acceleration. Data was collected during a 10-week phase of the competitive season from 26 English Premier League outfield players using global positioning system technology. High-intensity activity was estimated using the total distance covered at speeds >14.4 km · h−1 (TS) and the equivalent metabolic power threshold of >20 W · kg−1 (TP), respectively. We selected 0.2 as the ­minimally important standardised difference between methods. Mean training session TS was 478±300 m vs. 727±338 m for TP (p<0.001). This difference was greater for central defenders (~ 85%) vs. wide defenders and attackers (~ 60%) (p<0.05). The difference between methods also decreased as the proportion of high-intensity distance within a training session increased (R2=0.43; p<0.001). We conclude that the high-intensity demands of soccer training are underestimated by traditional measurements of running speed alone, especially in training sessions or playing positions associated with less high-intensity activity. Estimations of metabolic power better inform the coach as to the true demands of a training session.

Key words

GPS - acceleration - deceleration - energy cost - high-intensity - position
 

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